Accession Number:

ADA621169

Title:

Biophysical Characteristics of Chemical Protective Ensemble With and Without Body Armor

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. 2014-2015

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE NATICK MA BIOPHYSICS AND BIOMEDICAL MODELING DIV

Personal Author(s):

• Potter, Adam W.
• Gonzalez, Julio A.
• Karis, Anthony J.
• Blanchard, Laurie A.
• Rioux, Timothy P.
• Santee, William R.

Report Date:

2015-07-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear CBRN personal protective equipment PPE ensembles are designed to both provide individual protection from CBRN threats, and allow the individuals sufficient freedom of motion to complete mission-essential tasks. Encapsulation in PPE significantly increases the risk of heat strain. Heat strain is a particularly serious risk for CBRN missions where the individuals ability to dissipate excess metabolic heat is significantly reduced. The Department of Defense DoD has been tasked with improving the current issue PPE, with one of the goals being to optimize the balance between CBRN protection and thermal burden. Methods A sweating thermal manikin in a climate-controlled wind tunnel was used to measure the thermal insulation, vapor permeability, and wind velocity effects for each ensemble. This report provides quantitative biophysical assessments of 14 CBRN ensembles, including candidate prototypes and current issue suits, and ranks each by level of associated thermal burden. From this assessment a tradeoff analysis between CBRN protection and thermal strain can be conducted.

Descriptors:

• *ERGONOMICS
• *HEAT STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• *PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• BIOPHYSICS
• BODY ARMOR
• COEFFICIENTS
• EVAPORATION
• EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• HEAT LOSS
• HELMETS
• MANNEQUINS
• METABOLISM
• MILITARY OPERATIONS
• PERMEABILITY
• PERSPIRATION
• PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
• RISK
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• THERMAL INSULATION
• THERMAL PROPERTIES
• TRADE OFF ANALYSIS
• WIND TUNNELS
• WIND VELOCITY

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems
• Protective Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE